Being Safe In The Car

Car journeys with children

Stress-free driving with children in the car requires careful planning. But less stress means less distraction, so it’s worth doing a little bit of forward-thinking to avoid some common pitfalls:

Prepare games and activities to keep children occupied along the way

Decide in advance where you are going to stop for a rest or to go to the toilet

Make sure children understand that once in the car, you need to concentrate fully on driving.

A third of parents spend between 10 and 49 hours a month in the car with their children (AA / Populus, 2012). This means that children quickly start to recognise the way you act in the car.

Today’s kids are tomorrow’s drivers

Road safety is not just about keeping children safe now. The way they see you behave in the car is likely to shape the type of driver they will grow up to be. The safer you drive when they’re young, the safer they are likely to drive when they pass their test.

Why not take the Don’t Risk It: Kids in the Car questionnaire to find out whether you’re setting a good example?

You might not think children notice if you rush through an amber light, break the speed limit because you’re running late or check your phone while you’re driving. But studies have shown that they do. And once they think breaking the rules is normal, it’s difficult to change this attitude (Police).

Aggression

Anger not only upsets children, leading to extra distractions, but also teaches them that it’s OK to be angry and aggressive behind the wheel.

And one day, that might just catch up with them.

So set a good example now and keep your children safe for years to come.

Drive within the speed limit – making sure your speed is appropriate for the road conditions